Gianluigi Donnarumma slammed for 'dirty' penalty shootout tactic that failed during Bosnia defeat

Gianluigi Donnarumma has been criticised for his 'dirty' antics towards fellow goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj during Italy's penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

It was an evening to forget for Gennaro Gattuso's side, who missed out on their third consecutive World Cup after being beaten 4-1 on penalties.

Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante missed their spot kicks for Italy, before Esmir Bajraktarevic converted the decisive penalty for Bosnia as they secured their first World Cup appearance since 2014.

One of the big talking points from Tuesday's shootout was Gianluigi Donnarumma's behaviour towards Bosnian goalkeeper Nikola Vasil.

Shortly after Esposito missed his penalty, a heated argument broke out between Donnarumma and Vasilj, and many wondered what the animated conversation was about at such a pivotal moment.

It turns out Donnarumma sneaked into the goalmouth and grabbed Vasilj's cheat sheet as his fellow goalkeeper celebrated the missed spot kick. He then appeared to damage the piece of paper, according to BILD.

"Afterwards, the cheat sheet, which listed all the Italian shooters and their preferred corners, was clearly damaged," the report claimed. "Apparently, Donnarumma had intended to tear it up."

Donnarumma clashes with Vasilj during Tuesday's penalty shootout. Image credit: Getty

Clement Turpin, the referee, was forced to intervene, but luckily for Donnarumma, he was not given a second yellow card and continued between the sticks.

However, his antics were unsuccessful as the rest of Italy's penalty takers proceeded to miss the target.

Gennaro Gattuso reacts to Italy's failure to qualify for World Cup

Speaking after the defeat, Gattuso was visibly emotional as he apologised for Italy's failure to qualify for the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

“These lads didn’t deserve this, for the effort, the love, the determination. We had three chances, and most of their crosses were barely tickling us," he told RAI Sport.

“I am still proud of my lads. If you poke me with a dagger today, nothing will come out, my blood is all gone. It was important for the Italian football movement and it feels bad to go out like this.

“I don’t want to talk about the referee or anything, but it’s fair today, this is football. I’ve been in football for many years, I celebrated and I got thumped, like today, but it’s hard to swallow this.

“I was surprised too by the sheer heart and determination they showed today. We were there under siege, in the trenches. Yet here we are talking about not making it to the World Cup again."

Gattuso added: “I personally apologise for not having made it, but these lads gave absolutely everything.”